Mullen to remain Florida OC for title game

Dec 17, 2008 - 12:27 AM GAINESVILLE, Florida (Ticker) -- Dan Mullen will remain the Florida offensive coordinator for the BCS national championship game against Oklahoma on January 8, despite being named the head coach of Mississippi State last week.

Gators coach Urban Meyer made the announcement during Tuesday's press conference.

"The goal is to win the game, and I think right now, unless something changes, it looks like that's going to happen," Meyer said. "Is that the best chance of us winning that game, with the mechanics of the game the way we do them? Probably yes. So right now, I'd say the plan is he'll be up in the press box."

Meyer did acknowledge that Mullen will be working with the Bulldogs to assemble a coaching staff and start recruiting, but he said the rest of Florida's staff can help fill the void.

"The good thing is we have one of the best coaching staffs in the game," Meyer said. "This is not a dictatorship or one-man circus. The plays are scripted. Dan does a tremendous job."

Mullen is not planning to return to Gainesville until after Christmas, but the team will not put together a game-plan for the Sooners until after the holiday, according to Meyer.